The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

RESORTS World Bimini (RWB) is holding a two-day career fair in Grand Bahama this week in search of potential candidates to fill over 30 positions at the resort and build a talent bank for future employment opportunities.

The goal is to build a bank of about 200 to 300 people but the turnout yesterday was lower than expected on day one, according to RWB’s Human Resources manager Leslie Carroll.

The team began seeing attendees at 7.30am on the fourth floor of Canal House at the Pelican Bay Resort. Thirty six positions need to be filled immediately in various areas of the resort, including food and beverage, housekeeping, front office and the casino.  

RWB currently employs about 700 at its property in Bimini.

Ms Carroll said that all department heads are in Grand Bahama to interview potential candidates to fill available positions.    

“The numbers, surprisingly with the economy in Grand Bahama being the way it is, were lower than expected and anticipated. Hopefully, tomorrow (Tuesday) it would be a bit different.”

In addition to filling vacancies, the resort is looking to create a talent bank of individuals to reduce recruitment time throughout the year. 

“With this bank we would be able to kind of decrease our time to fill positions as we are a Family Island, and most team members come from Nassau and Freeport,” she said. “We are trying to reduce the time to fill positions so that recruiting can be a much quicker process.”

Ms Carroll explained that once an attendee comes in he or she is pre-screened to determine eligibility. Once eligibility is determined, they would identify an area that they feel the person would be best suited.

“The person then goes on to an interview with the department manager, and once they go through the interview process, if successful, they complete an application,” she explained.

Ms Carroll said once there is an immediate opening they are looking to hire right away.Candidates are sought to fill positions such as cooks, stewards, public space cleaners, A/C technicians, engineers, laundry technicians, servers, baristas, bartenders, bussers, bar backs, spa therapists, room attendants, housemen, laundry attendants and casino table games supervisors.

“Our goal would be to build a bank of 200 to 300 persons, and we are about a quarter of the way so far, so hopefully tomorrow picks up so we can provide opportunities for Grand Bahamians,” Ms Carroll said.

Among the persons attending the career fair were recent high school graduates.  

Ivana Josey, a recent graduate of St George’s High School, said she came out in hopes of finding a job. She said a friend told her about the career fair which was on social media. 

“A friend saw it on WhatsApp and Facebook and so I came out here today,” she said. “It has been very hard finding a job in Grand Bahama, and I don’t mind going to Bimini if I have to.”  

Nikia Louis, another St George’s High graduate, said she was excited when she learned that RWB were looking to recruit from Grand Bahama.

“I came hopeful to seek the employment,” she said. “Finding a job here has been very difficult. Everywhere you go they want someone with experience, but how can you gain experience if no one wants to give a chance.”

She said it is very discouraging.

“I am just sitting here thinking about what to do, and how I am going to get by in life because I am getting older. It is hard finding a job in Grand Bahama and so I was excited about coming here because of the possibility of getting a job in another Family Island,” Ms Louis said.